Head of Business Analysis

The Role

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced senior business analysis professional to drive business value and benefits realisation across complex projects and programmes. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical and stakeholder management skills to enhance the firm's operational efficiency and effectiveness. They will be responsible for managing and developing a team of Senior Business Analysis Managers and Business Analysis Managers, ensuring high-quality service delivery aligned with the firm's evolving needs.

The candidate will have expertise in business analysis, including requirements elicitation, process mapping, data modelling, and the use of related tools. Experience in conducting feasibility studies, performing current/future state and gap analyses, and creating detailed documentation and user stories is essential. The ability to translate complex business requirements into actionable technical specifications and facilitate effective communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders is also crucial.

Who you will work with

Reporting to the Global Head of Business Transformation Implementation in the Global Programme Group (GPG), the Head of Business Analysis will work closely with professionals in Change Management, Programme Management, Portfolio Management, and Project Management to ensure the delivery of business value and benefits to the firm. The post-holder will engage with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, leveraging their expertise to define and deliver effective and efficient business solutions. This role requires a collaborative approach, working with various departments to align business analysis efforts with the firm's strategic objectives.

What you will be responsible for

• Functional and Team Development: Manage and develop the business analysis function and team, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Delivery of Business Value: Drive the delivery of business benefits and value across the firm's complex programme portfolio, utilising expertise in requirements elicitation, process mapping, data modelling, and relevant business analysis tools.
• Strategic Alignment: Ensure that business analysis activities are aligned with the firm's strategic goals through active engagement with senior leadership.
• Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration: Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among project teams and stakeholders, providing expert advice on optimising business processes and systems to achieve strategic outcomes.

What you will do

Management Capabilities

• Mentor and develop team members, enhancing their capabilities in business benefits and value realisation, operationalising the full range of business analysis practices and methodologies.
• Build and maintain documentation in areas of expertise (e.g., processes, guidelines, best practices) for reference and training purposes.
• Regularly review and improve business analysis processes in cooperation with the business analysis team.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members.

Delivery Capabilities

• Requirements Elicitation and Translation: Elicit business requirements and translate high-level requirements into detailed specifications, with actionable recommendations. Utilise expertise in requirements elicitation, process mapping, data modelling, and relevant business analysis tools to deliver business benefits and ensure the success of complex projects and programmes.
• Feasibility and Market Analysis: Conduct feasibility studies to assess the viability of new projects and initiatives, providing detailed analysis and recommendations. Perform market analysis for potential solutions and interact with potential vendors. Define business cases and evaluate the business, financial, and technical feasibility of each option.
• Documentation and Specifications: Create detailed documentation, including business requirements, functional specifications, and user stories, to support project delivery and ensure clarity for all stakeholders. Analyse existing or new documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness. Ensure post-project documentation for continuous improvement of processes.
• Project Support and Testing: Provide project teams with a clear understanding of business needs, requirements, and specifications. Build test cases and prepare UAT scripts, assisting with the UAT process. Coordinate with IT and development teams to ensure seamless integration of business requirements into technical solutions.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of business analysis activities, adjusting as necessary to improve outcomes. Implement best practices and methodologies in business analysis to enhance the quality and efficiency of deliverables.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Conduct regular status meetings and deliver status reports to management and stakeholders. Liaise with steering committees and stakeholders to ensure control of scope, risks, changes, and communication. Facilitate effective communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring mutual understanding and alignment.
• Risk Management and Compliance: Identify and mitigate risks associated with business analysis activities, ensuring proactive management of potential issues.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Facilitate effective communication between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring mutual understanding and alignment.
• Collaborate with various departments, including Change Management, Programme Management, Portfolio Management, and Project Management, to optimise business processes and systems.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on business process optimisation, system improvements, and strategic outcomes.

Requirements

Your Experience

• A relevant Business Analysis certification is required, along with demonstrable experience in delivering business value and realising benefits within complex organisations and intricate business programmes. Experience within a global Professional Services organisation, particularly within the legal sector, is highly advantageous. Your background in leading global initiatives and a solid understanding of change management processes are crucial.
• Strong familiarity with and experience in deploying industry-standard business analysis approaches, tools, and methodologies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multicultural environment and engage with diverse personalities at all levels of the Firm.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a structured approach to decision-making and planning.
• Proven ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple responsibilities amid competing priorities, tight deadlines, and changing business demands and opportunities.
• Demonstrates a high level of professional ethics and manner, with the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of the Firm’s internal and personnel affairs.
• Must be a self-starter with a proactive work attitude, results-oriented, reliable, and flexible.
• Ability to work both on own initiative and in a team-based environment.
• Capable of finding creative solutions and thinking outside the box.
• Exhibits good judgement and accountability in all professional activities.

From your first day with us, you will have varied opportunities to continuously grow and development your skills and knowledge. From formal training, informal coaching and mentoring through to skills-based and technical training and on the job learning.

Whatever your area of expertise, you will find a range of career opportunities at Clifford Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your ambitions.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career.

We're proud of our approachable, friendly and team-based way of working. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, our people are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.